Tape cassette

ABSTRACT

A tape cassette provided with a tape member comprised of a magnetic tape connected to transparent leader tapes affixed to a pair of tape reels rotatably supported in a cassette body via connection tapes. In this cassette body, a light emitting element hole is located between the pair of tape reels. Light transmission holes allowing the light from the light emitting element facing the cassette body via the light emitting element hole to pass therethrough out of the cassette body with the tape member interposed therebetween are provided in the side walls orthogonal to the travelling direction of the tape member travelling over the distance between the pair of tape reels. In addition, a tape information display portion is provided in the tape member which indicates the type of the magnetic tape accommodated in the cassette body. This tape information display portion is provided at a leader tape portion positioned between the point of intersection of a line connecting the light emitting element hole and the light transmission holes and the leader tape and the end portion of the connection tape when the member is completely wound around either tape reel. Since the tape information display portion is formed on the leader tape, the amount of light reflected therefrom is not influenced by the connection tape connecting the magnetic tape to the leader tape so as to result in a high degree of precision of the amount of light detected by the light receiving element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tape cassette comprised of a cassettebody in which is rotatably supported a pair of tape reels between whichis wound tape member on which a data signal is recorded, and moreparticularly relates to a tape cassette providing at a part of the tapemember an information display portion displaying information concerningthe tape member such as if the tape cassette mounted in the recordingand reproduction apparatus is meant for only the recording of a videosignal or is meant for the recording of a data signal.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a method of detection using an optical means has beenused to detect a starting end and terminal end of a tape memberincluding a long magnetic tape accommodated in a cassette bodyconstituting part of a tape cassette.

The tape member accommodated in the cassette body, however, has a leadertape made of a plastic with a sufficiently guaranteed mechanicalstrength which is connected to each of the starting end and the terminalend of the magnetic tape on which the data signal is recorded. The tapemember is affixed to the tape reel via the leader tapes and is woundbetween these tape reels.

The magnetic tape on which a magnetic recording medium is coated and theleader tapes on which no magnetic recording medium is coated, whichconstitute the tape member, have different light transmittances. Morespecifically, when light having a wavelength of 800 nm to 900 nm isirradiated, the light transmittance of the magnetic tape is 60 percentor less, while in contrast the light transmittance of the leader tapesis 60 percent or more. Therefore, the difference of the lighttransmittances between these magnetic tape and leader tapes may be notedto try to detect the starting end or terminal end of a tape member. Thisis the principle behind the method of detection using an optical means.

To enable the detection of the starting end or the terminal end of amagnetic tape by using such an optical means, a conventional tapecassette provides, in the cassette body in which the tape member isaccommodated, a light emitting element hole into which a light emittingelement arranged at the recording and reproduction apparatus side isinserted. This light emitting element hole is provided so as to bepositioned between the pair of tape reels rotatably supported in thecassette body. On the other hand, a light transmission hole is providedon the side of the apparatus and allows light from the light emittingelement to pass therethrough and out of the cassette body with the tapemember interposed therebetween. A light transmission hole is formed ineach of the mutually facing side walls orthogonal to the travellingdirection of the tape member travelling over the space between the pairof tape reels of the cassette body. On the recording and reproductionapparatus side, light receiving elements serve as detection elements fordetecting the light passing through the transmission holes made in thecassette body. By detecting the state of the light passing through thetransmission holes by these light receiving elements, the starting endor the terminal end of the tape member is detected.

More specifically, the light from the light emitting element arranged atthe recording and reproduction apparatus side and facing the interior ofthe cassette body via the light emitting element hole is received at thelight receiving elements arranged at the recording and reproductionapparatus side facing each other at the two sides of the cassette body.At this time, the light of the light receiving element arranged at thetape reel side acting as the tape supply side and the light of the lightreceiving element arranged at the other tape reel side acting as thetape take-up side are compared. When the detection output of one lightreceiving element is larger than the detection output of the other lightreceiving element, the tape starting end is detected. Further, where thedetection output of the other light receiving element is larger than thedetection output of that one light receiving element, the tape terminalend is detected. Namely, the starting end or terminal end of the tapemember is detected by deciding at which side is provided the lightreceiving element which detects the leader tape, which is connected tothe starting end or the terminal end of the magnetic tape and has ahigher light transmittance than the magnetic tape.

Note that, where the detection outputs of the light receiving elementsarranged at the recording and reproducing apparatus side facing eachother at the two sides of the cassette body are equal, the tape memberis wound around each tape reel by a certain amount and the magnetic tapeis extended between the pair of tape reels and the magnetic tape of thetape member is travelling from one tape reel acting as the supply sidetoward the other tape reel acting as the take-up side.

A tape cassette accommodating a magnetic tape having a tape width of 8mm sometimes accommodates a magnetic tape meant for recording only avideo signal and sometimes accommodates a tape meant for recording onlya data signal although the size and outer shape the cassette bodies aregenerally the same.

The magnetic tape to be accommodated in a tape cassette meant forrecording only a video signal and the magnetic tape to be accommodatedin a tape cassette meant for recording only a data signal have differentcharacteristics such as magnetic characteristics of the magnetic medium.For this reason, a recording and reproduction apparatus meant forrecording only a video signal and a recording and reproduction apparatusmeant for recording only a data signal use magnetic heads adapted to thedifferent magnetic tapes used. Further, the travelling speed of themagnetic tape differs between the two recording and reproductionapparatuses.

In this way, the specifications of the tape cassettes and the recordingand reproduction apparatuses are made different, for example, thecharacteristics of the magnetic tape are made different, thecharacteristics of the magnetic heads used on the recording andreproduction apparatus side are made different, and further the tapetravelling speeds are made different. Accordingly, where, for example, atape cassette for a video signal is loaded in an apparatus designed forthe recording and reproduction of a data signal, there is insufficientrecording capacity and it becomes impossible to record the requireddata. Further, the guaranteed error rate is different between a magnetictape meant for recording only a video signal and a magnetic tape meantfor recording only a data signal. Accordingly, when a tape cassette fora video signal is used for the recording of a data signal, it becomesimpossible to record the data signal with a sufficient recordingcharacteristic and there are liable to be omissions in the data beingrecorded.

Therefore, while making the size and outer shape of the cassette bodiesapproximately the same, it is necessary to prevent a tape cassette whichcannot be utilized interchangeably for both of a recording andreproduction apparatus meant for recording and reproduction of a videosignal and a recording and reproduction apparatus meant for recordingand reproduction of a data signal from being erroneously loaded in thewrong recording and reproduction apparatus. Particularly it is necessaryto prevent a tape cassette for a video signal from being erroneouslyloaded in a recording and reproduction apparatus of a data signal andprevent a recording operation of the data signal from being performed.

In order to identify tape cassettes with cassette bodies ofsubstantially the same size and outer shape but accommodating differenttypes of magnetic tapes, a display portion has been previously provided,such as an identification hole, in the cassette body accommodating themagnetic tape. When such a display portion is provided, however, thestructure of the mold for shaping this cassette body becomes morecomplex and the shaping of the cassette body becomes difficult. Further,the manufacturing cost of the tape cassette is increased.

Furthermore, when a display portion such as an identification hole isprovided in the cassette body, it becomes necessary to newlyindependently provide a detection mechanism for detecting this displayportion on the recording and reproduction apparatus side, which makesthe configuration of the recording and reproduction apparatus morecomplex.

Accordingly, as a tape cassette which enables identification of tapecassettes for accommodating different magnetic tapes without changingthe configuration of the cassette body accommodating the magnetic tape,the tape cassette disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication(Kokai) No. 6-176535 has been proposed.

In the tape cassette disclosed in this publication, an opticallydetectable tape information display portion is provided at thetransparent leader tape portion used for affixing the magnetic tape tothe tape reel. Particularly, the tape information display portion isprovided at the leader tape portion covered by the connection tape,which has a light transmission property and connects the end portion ofthe magnetic tape and the end portion of the leader tape abuttingagainst each other.

Further, in the tape cassette disclosed in the above publication, thetape information display portion may be provided at the connection tapeconnecting the magnetic tape and the leader tape.

In the tape information display portion provided in the tape cassettedisclosed in the above publication, certain tape information isdisplayed by sequentially forming a light transmission portion and anopaque portion having a difference of the light transmittances.

By providing a tape information display portion at the leader tape orthe connection tape accommodated in the cassette body similar to thetape cassette disclosed in the above publication, identification tapecassettes for accommodating different types of magnetic tapes without achange of the configuration of the cassette body becomes possible.Further, the configuration of the recording and reproduction apparatususing the tape cassettes is not changed, so the compatibility of therecording and reproduction apparatus can be maintained.

The connection tape, however, is coated with a binder for connecting themagnetic tape and the leader tape. For this reason, even in a case wherethe leader tape and the connection tape are formed by a transparentmaterial, the light transmittance is lowered due to the binder on theconnection tape at the portion where the leader tape and the connectiontape are superimposed. Particularly, when the binder changes in qualityalong with time, the light transmittance is further deteriorated. In atape cassette provided with the tape information display portion fordisplaying the tape information by the difference of the lighttransmittance at the portion where the leader tape and the connectiontape are superimposed, it becomes impossible for the optical detectionmeans to correctly detect a sufficient difference of light transmittancedue to the binder, so it is liable to become impossible to correctlyidentify the tape information displayed at the tape information displayportion.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassetteprovided with a tape information display portion enabling correctidentification of the tape information by an optical detection means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassetteenabling correct identification of the tape information by the opticaldetection means over a long period without being influenced by aging.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tapecassette enabling precise recording of the information to be recorded byquick identification of the type of the tape cassette when loaded in arecording and reproduction apparatus.

So as to attain the above objects, the tape cassette according to thepresent invention is provided with a cassette body; a pair of tape reelsrotatably supported in the cassette body; and a tape member comprised ofa magnetic tape at each of the two ends of which is connected a leadertape having a light transmission property via a connection tape, theseleader tapes being affixed to the tape reels, and wound while stretchingover the space between the tape reels.

The cassette body is provided with a light emitting element holepositioned between the pair of tape reels. At the same time, lighttransmission holes for allowing the light from the light emittingelement facing the interior of the cassette body via the light emittingelement hole to pass therethrough out of the cassette body with the tapemember interposed therebetween are provided in the side walls orthogonalto the travelling direction of the tape member travelling over the spacebetween the pair of tape reels.

Further, the tape member is provided with at least one tape informationdisplay are in the leader tape portion positioned between the point ofintersection of the line connecting the light emitting element hole andthe light transmission hole and the leader tape and the connection tapewhen all of the tape member is wound around one of the tape reels.

Further, a transparent portion is provided between the end portion ofthe connection tape and the tape information display area provided atthe leader tape.

Here, the tape reel around which all of the tape member is wound is usedas the tape reel on the tape supply side.

When this tape cassette is loaded in a recording and reproductionapparatus, the light emitting element provided on the recording andreproduction apparatus side is inserted into the light emitting elementhole provided in the cassette body and enters the interior of thecassette body. The light from the light emitting element facing theinterior of this cassette body passes through the light transmissionholes provided in the side walls orthogonal to the travelling directionof the tape member travelling over the space between the pair of tapereels of the cassette body and is able to be detected by the lightreceiving elements provided at the recording and reproduction apparatusside.

The tape cassette is either loaded in the recording and reproductionapparatus in a state where all of the tape member including the magnetictape is wound around one tape reel or is loaded in the recording andreproduction apparatus and then all of the tape member including themagnetic tape is wound around one tape reel. The tape member is thenmade to travel in a direction from one tape reel to the other tape reel.When the tape information display area provided at the leader tapeportion reaches the light path through which the light from the lightemitting element passes to a light receiving element due to thetravelling of this tape member, the light from the light emittingelement is blocked by this tape information display portion. This isdetected by the light receiving element as a change of the amount oflight from the light emitting element and then the type of the tapemember provided with the tape information display portion is identified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional perspective view of a tape cassetteaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the interior of a cassette bodyconstituting part of the tape cassette shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of principal parts showing theposition at which the tape information display portion is provided.

FIG. 4 is a view of the output waveform detected by a light receivingelement when the tape information display portion is set to 2 mm.

FIG. 5 is a view of the output waveform detected by a light receivingelement when the tape information display portion is set to 3 mm.

FIG. 6 is a plan view explaining the state where a leader tapeconstituting part of the tape member accommodated in the tape cassetteaccording to the present invention is prepared.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Below, specific embodiments of the tape cassette according to thepresent invention will be explained by reference to the drawings.

The tape cassette according to the present invention is provided with acassette body 3 exhibiting a square shape as shown in FIG. 1 formed bymating and connecting an upper half section 1 and lower half section 2with each other. In this cassette body 3, as shown in FIG. 2, two tapereels 4 and 5 are rotatably supported. A tape member 6 including amagnetic tape constituted as will be explained later is wound betweenthe two tape reels 4 and 5.

In the lower half section 2 constituting the lower side of the cassettebody 3, although not illustrated, are formed reel drive shaft holes inwhich are arranged reel hubs 7 and 8, provided at the centers of thetape reels 4 and 5 rotatably supported in the cassette body 3, facingoutward from the cassette body 3. Reel drive shafts constituting part ofthe reel driving mechanisms provided at the recording and reproductionapparatus side enter into these reel drive shaft holes when the tapecassette is loaded in the recording and reproduction apparatus. The reeldrive shafts entering into the cassette body 3 via the reel drive shaftholes engage with the reel hubs 7 and 8 and turn the tape reels 4 and 5.

The tape member 6 wound extending over the space between the pair oftape reels 4 and 5 is drawn out of the cassette body 3 via the tapewithdrawing ports 9 and 10 provided at the two sides of the front of thecassette body 3, extends along the front of the cassette body 3, and cantravel over the space between the pair of tape reels 4 and 5. As shownin FIG. 2, tape guides 11 and 12 which guide the travelling direction ofthe tape member 6 travelling over the space between the pair of tapereels 4 and 5 are provided at the sides of the opening ends of the tapewithdrawing ports 9 and 10. These tape guides 11 and 12 guarantee smoothsliding contact of the tape member 6 by having surfaces coming intosliding contact with the tape member 6 bulging out in an arc shape.

Further, in the portion over the space between the tape withdrawingdrawing ports 9 and 10 on the front side at which the tape member 6 ofthe cassette body 3 extends, there is provided a tape loading recess 13which the tape withdrawing member constituting part of the tape loadingmechanism provided on the recording and reproduction apparatus sidefaces. When the tape cassette is loaded in the recording andreproduction apparatus, the tape withdrawing member enters into the tapeloading recess 13 and faces the back surface of the tape member 6extending along the front of the cassette body 3. By driving the tapeloading mechanism, the tape member 6 is withdrawn from the cassette body3 and the tape member 6 is loaded into a predetermined tape travellingpath.

The front side of the cassette body 3 has pivotally attached to it anopening and closing lid 14 so as to protect the tape member 6 withdrawnfrom the cassette body 3 and extending over the front of this cassettebody 3, as shown in FIG. 1. This opening and closing lid 14 is pivotallyattached to the cassette body 3 by forming pivot pieces 16 and 17 at thetwo sides of a covering plate 15 covering the front of the cassette body3 and pivotally supporting these pivot pieces 16 and 17 via supportingshafts at the two facing side walls 18 and 19 orthogonal to the front ofthe cassette body 3. The opening and closing lid 14 is biased to pivotin the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1, that is, adirection for constantly closing the front of the cassette body 3, by abiasing means provided in the cassette body 3 such as a coil spring andcovers the tape member 6 extending over the front of the cassette body3. When the tape cassette is loaded in the recording and reproductionapparatus, the opening and closing lid 14 is pivoted in the directionindicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1 against the biasing force of thebiasing means by a lid opening and closing mechanism provided on theapparatus side, thereby to open the front of the cassette body 3 andenables the tape member 6 to be withdrawn out of the cassette body 3.

The cassette body 3 prevents unintentional withdrawing of the tapemember 6 wound between the pair of tape reels 4 and 5 by being providedwith a reel lock member 20 limiting the rotation of the tape reels 4 and5. This reel lock member 20 is arranged so as to be positioned at theback wall 21 of the cassette body 3 as shown in FIG. 2 and is moveablein the direction indicated by the arrow C and the direction indicated bythe arrow D in FIG. 2 to and back from a space between the pair of tapereels 4 and 5. The reel lock member 20 is constantly biased in thedirection indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 2 by a biasing means such asa coil spring so as to enter into the space between the pair of tapereels 4 and 5. Reel lock pawls 20a and 20b provided at the front endsengage with gear portions 22 formed at the outer circumferential edgesof flanges 4a and 5a of the tape reels 4 and 5 to restrict the rotationof the tape reels 4 and 5. When the tape cassette is loaded in therecording and reproduction apparatus, the reel lock member 20 is movedin the direction indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 2 against the biasingforce of the biasing means by a reel lock releasing function provided atthe apparatus side, releases the lock of the tape reels 4 and 5 to allowthese tape reels 4 and 5 to rotate, and makes the feedout of the tapemember 6 from the cassette body 3 possible.

The lower half section 2 constituting the lower side of the cassettebody 3 is further provided with a pair of positioning holes 23 and 24engaging with positioning pins for positioning the loading position ofthe tape cassette in the horizontal direction when the tape cassette isloaded in the recording and reproduction apparatus. These positioningholes 23 and 24 are provided in the vicinity of the position at whichthe tape member 6 is fed out from the pair of tape reels 3 and 4 asshown in FIG. 2. By providing a pair of positioning holes 23 and 24 inthis way, when the tape cassette is loaded in the recording andreproduction apparatus, the starting position of travelling of the tapemember 6 fed out from the tape cassette is correctly defined and stabletravel of tape member 6 becomes possible.

The tape cassette configured as mentioned above is provided with a tapeinformation display area 39 which can detect the starting end andterminal end of the tape member 6 accommodated in the cassette body 3 orthe type of the accommodated tape member 6 by an optical detection meansprovided at the recording and reproduction apparatus side when this tapecassette is loaded in a recording and reproduction apparatus.

The lower half section 2 constituting the lower side of the cassettebody 3 is provided with a light emitting element hole 26 into which isinserted a light emitting element 25 such as an LED constituting part ofthe tape member detection mechanism provided at the recording andreproduction apparatus side. This light emitting element hole 26 isprovided at a position on the front side of the cassette body 3 so as tofall between the pair of tape reels 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. 2. Further,the side walls 18 and 19 of the cassette body 3 have light transmissionholes 27 and 28 for allowing the light from the light emitting element25 inserted into the light emitting element hole 26 to pass therethroughout of the cassette body 3 with the tape member 6 travelling over thespace between the pair of tape reels 4 and 5 interposed therebetween.These light transmission holes 27 and 28 are provided at the pivotingportions of the side walls 18 and 19 where the pivot pieces 17 and 18 ofthe opening and closing lid 14 are provided and are square in shape. Thelight transmission holes 27 and 28 are closed by the pivot pieces 17 and18 when the opening and closing lid 14 is pivoted to a position closingthe front of the cassette body 3 and register with the through holes 29made in the pivot pieces 17 and 18 and open when the opening and closinglid 14 is pivoted to a position opening the front of the cassette body3.

The light transmission holes 27 and 28 are provided at positions wherethe angles θ₁ and θ₂ formed by a line S₁ which passes through the centerof the light emitting element hole 26 and is in parallel to thetravelling direction of the tape member 6 travelling along the front ofthe cassette body 3 over the space between the pair of tape reels 4 and5 and a line S₂ connecting the center of the light emitting element hole26 and the centers of the light transmission holes 27 and 28 are about5.5 degrees.

Note that the recording and reproduction apparatus side are providedwith light receiving elements 31 and 32 such as photodetectors whichreceive the light from the light emitting element inserted into thelight emitting element hole 26 and entering into the cassette body 3positioned on the extension of the line S₂ connecting the center of thelight emitting element hole 26 and the centers of the light transmissionholes 27 and 28.

On the other hand, the tape member 6 accommodated in the cassette body 3wound over the space between the pair of tape reels 4 and 5 isconstituted by, as shown in FIG. 3, a magnetic tape 35 coated with amagnetic recording medium on which an information signal such as a datasignal is to be recorded and leader tapes 36 formed by a plastic with asufficiently guaranteed mechanical strength which are connected to thetwo ends, that is, the starting end and terminal end, of this magnetictape 35. The leader tapes 36 are formed by a plastic material such as atransparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The magnetic tape 35 and the leader tapes 36 are laid end to end withoutsuperposition and connected by connection tape 37 provided on onesurface with a sticky layer made of a binder etc. Note that, theconnection tape 37 is bonded to the surface of the magnetic tape 35 onthe side not coated with the magnetic recording medium so as to connectthe magnetic tape 35 and the leader tapes 36.

The leader tapes 36 constituting part of the tape member 6 are formed bya transparent or semi-transparent plastic material having a lighttransmission property. On the other hand, the magnetic tape 35 is formedby coating a magnetic recording medium on one surface of a substratemade of a plastic and therefore is given a remarkably smaller lighttransmittance compared with the leader tapes 36. Further, the connectiontape 37 is formed by the same material as that for the leader tapes 36,but formed by providing a sticky layer on one surface to thereby obtaina smaller light transmittance compared with the leader tapes 36.

The tape member 6 is wound between the tape reels 4 and 5 with the endportions of the leader tapes 36 connected to the end portions of themagnetic tape 35 and affixed to the tape reels 4 and 5. The leader tapes36 are affixed to the tape reels 4 and 5 while being grasped by clamps38 provided at the tape reels 4 and 5. The leader tapes 36 have a lengthfrom the fixed end of one of the tape reels 5 and 4 to the vicinity ofthe tape drawing port 9 or 10 of the cassette body 3 when all of thetape member 6 is taken up around the other of the tape reels 4 and 5. Inthe present embodiment, the leader tapes 36 have a length from the fixedend of one of the tape reels 4 and 5 to approximately the center of thefront side of the cassette body 3 when all of the tape member 6 is takenup around the other of the tape reels 5 and 4.

The tape member 6 accommodated in the tape cassette according to thepresent invention is provided with a tape information display area 39showing that the magnetic tape 35 constituting part of this tape member6 is used for the recording of only a data signal. This tape informationdisplay area 39 is provided at the leader tape 36 portion positionedbetween the point of intersection P₁ of the line S₂ connecting thecenter of the light emitting element hole 26 and the center of the lighttransmission holes 27 and 28 and the leader tape 36 and the connectiontape 37 when all of the tape member 6 is wound around a tape reel 4acting as the tape supply side as shown in FIG. 3.

The tape information display area 39 is formed so that one part of theleader tape 36 has approximately the same light transmittance as thelight transmittance of the magnetic tape 35. More specifically, the tapeinformation display portion 39 is formed by coating on one part of theleader tape 36 a material lowering the light transmittance so as to givea light transmittance of 60 percent or less, equivalent to the magnetictape 35, when light having a wavelength of 800 nm to 900 nm isirradiated.

So as to give a light transmittance equivalent to that of the magnetictape 35 to the tape information display area 39, there are used amagnetic recording medium such as Co--Ni coated on the magnetic tape 35,carbon black, or metal such as aluminum, or further a resin materialsuch as an ultraviolet-curable resin. The material lowering the lighttransmittance is coated on the leader tape 36 by silk screen printing,pad printing, or other printing to form the tape information displayarea 39. The step of forming the tape information display area 39 bysuch printing may be performed even after winding the tape member 6between the tape reels 4 and 5, so it becomes possible to provide thistape information display area 39 even with respect to a tape member 6accommodated in a cassette body 3 without the tape information displayarea 39.

Where a magnetic recording medium is used as the material forming thetape information display area 39, similar to the case of forming themagnetic tape 35, it can be formed by a vacuum thin film formingtechnology such as evaporation deposition or sputtering.

The tape information display area 39 provided at the position asmentioned above is located on the tape reel 4 side further from thepoint of intersection P₁ between the line S₂ connecting the center ofthe light emitting element hole 26 and the center of the lighttransmission holes 27 and 28 and the leader tape 36 when winding all ofthe tape member 6 around the tape reel 4 acting as the tape supply sideas shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, when the tape cassette is loaded in therecording and reproduction apparatus in the state with all of the tapemember 6 taken up around the tape reel 4 acting as the tape supply sideor the tape cassette is loaded in the recording and reproductionapparatus and then all of the tape member 6 is taken up around the tapereel 4 and then the reel driving mechanism on the recording andreproduction apparatus side is driven to perform forward rotation tomake the tape member 6 travel from the tape reel 4 toward the other tapereel 6 acting as the take-up side, the transparent portion of the leadertape 36 passes the line S₂ connecting the center of the light emittingelement hole 26 and the center of the light transmission holes 27 and28. In this manner, the light path of the light emitted from the lightemitting element 25 and is received by the light receiving elements 31and 32 passes through (1) a transparent portion of the leader tape, then(2), the tape information display area 39 having a low lighttransmittance and then (3) the transparent portion 36a of the leadertape 36 passes again. As a result, the amount of light received by thelight receiving elements 31 and 32 changes in accordance with thepassing of the transparent portion of the leader tape 36, the tapeinformation display area 39, and the transparent portion 36a of theleader tape 36. The light receiving element 32 outputs a detectionoutput in accordance with the change of the amount of the lightreceived. By detecting the fluctuation of this detection output bywaveform-shaping by the waveform shaping circuit, the tape informationdisplay area 39 can be detected. When detecting this tape informationdisplay area 39, it is determined that the tape member 6 is one to whicha magnetic tape 35 used for the recording of only a data signal isconnected. Namely, it is determined that the tape cassette loaded in therecording and reproduction apparatus is for a data signal.

Note that, a tape cassette for which the tape information display area39 is not detected is determined to be for recording of only a videosignal.

When a tape member 6 having a width of 8 mm is used for a tape cassetteaccommodating the tape member, the length L₁ of the tape informationdisplay area 39 in the longitudinal direction of the tape member 6 isset to be approximately 3 mm. This is because the light transmissionholes 27 and 28 provided in a tape cassette accommodating a tape member6 having a width of 8 mm are formed in a square shape having a length of2.5 mm at each side and, further, when all of the tape member 6 is woundaround the tape reel 4 acting as the tape supply side, as shown in FIG.2, the tape member 6 intersects the line S₂ connecting the center of thelight emitting element hole 26 and the center of the light transmissionholes 27 and 28 at an angle, i.e., without being orthogonal to the lineS₂. Namely, the length L₁ is set so as to reliably cover the lighttransmission holes 27 and 28 exhibiting a square shape of a length of2.5 mm on a side by the tape information display area 39 even in a casewhere the tape member 6 travels inclined with respect to the line S₂connecting the center of the light emitting element hole 26 and thecenter of the light transmission holes 27 and 28.

In actuality, when comparing the fluctuation of the detection output ofthe light from the light emitting element 25 detected by the lightreceiving elements 31 and 32 to the case where the length L₁ of the tapeinformation display area 39 is set to 2 mm and the case where it is setto 3 mm, the result becomes as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Namely, whenthe magnetic tape 35 portion is detected by the light receiving elements31 and 32, the detection output is set to 0 mV, when the tapeinformation area portion 39 given a light transmittance equivalent tothat of the magnetic tape 35 is detected, the detection output of thelight receiving elements 31 and 32 becomes 0 mV the same as thedetection output when the magnetic tape 35 portion is detected. Wherethe length L₁ of the tape information display area 39 is set to 2 mm,however, as shown in FIG. 4, a detection output of about 1.3 mV isobtained. On the other hand, where the length L₁ of the tape informationdisplay area 39 is set to 3 mm, as shown in FIG. 5, similar to thedetection of the magnetic tape 35 portion, only a detection output ofabout 0 mV can be obtained. This is because, where the length L₁ of thetape information display area 39 is set to about 3 mm, the lighttransmission holes 27 and 28 are completely covered by the tapeinformation display area 39, but where the length L₁ of the tapeinformation display area 39 is set to 2 mm, the light transmission holes27 and 28 are not completely covered by the tape information displayarea 39 and an amount of the leakage light is detected by the lightreceiving elements 31 and 32. Accordingly, where the invention isapplied to a tape cassette accommodating a tape member 6 having a widthof 8 mm, it is necessary to form the tape information display area 39 soas to have a length L₁ in the longitudinal direction of the tape member6 of about 3 mm or a length slightly longer than 3 mm.

Further, since the tape information display area 39 is detected by afluctuation of the detection output caused by the change of the amountof the light received by the light receiving elements 31 and 32, atransparent portion 36a having a constant length L₂ is provided at apart of the leader tape 36 near the end portion, on the leader tape 36side, of the connection tape 37 connecting the magnetic tape 35 and theleader tape 36. Since the light transmittance of the tape informationdisplay area 39 is set to 60 percent or less, equivalent to the lighttransmittance of the magnetic tape 35, in this embodiment, the length L₂of this transparent portion 36a is set to a length that enables 60percent or more of the light emitted from the light emitting element 25to be received at the light receiving elements 31 and 32. Namely, thisis because, by setting the length L₂ of the transparent portion 36a soas to give a light transmittance of 60 percent or less, a fluctuation iscaused in the detection output caused by the change of the amount oflight received by the light receiving elements 31 and 32 between thistransparent portion 36a and the tape information display area 39 havinga light transmittance of 60 percent or less, so detection of the tapeinformation display area 39 becomes possible by the fluctuation of thisdetection output.

To secure a light transmittance for the transparent portion 36a of 60percent or more, in the present embodiment, a length of more than 1.8 mmbecomes necessary. Namely, when assuming that the amount of light fromthe light emitting element 25 received at the light receiving elements31 and 32 in a state where the light transmission holes 27 and 28 arecompletely opened is 100 percent, to secure 60 percent or more lightreceived at the light receiving elements 31 and 32, the lighttransmission holes 27 and 28 must be opened 60 percent or more. Whenassuming that the light transmittance of the transparent portion 36a is100 percent, it becomes necessary that it have a length long enough toopen the light transmission holes 27 and 28 by 60 percent or more. Here,so as to completely open the light transmission holes 27 and 28 formedin the square shape having a length of 2.5 mm at a side, conversely tothe length L₁ of the tape information display area 39 mentioned before,a transparent portion 36a having a length L₂ of 3 mm or more becomesnecessary. Therefore, so as to open the light transmission holes 27 and28 by 60 percent or more, it becomes necessary to set the length of thetransparent portion 36a to 1.8 mm or more which is 60 percent of the 3mm length for complete opening of the light transmission holes 27 and28. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a transparent portion 36ahaving a length L₂ of 1.8 mm or more is provided between the end portionof the leader tape 36 side of the connection tape 37 and the tapeinformation display area 39. Note that, so as to make sure that thetransparent portion 36a has a light transmittance of 60% or more,desirably the length thereof is set to 2 mm or more.

Further, so as to enable reliable detection of the tape informationdisplay portion 39 by the light receiving elements 31 and 32, when allof the tape member 6 is taken up around the tape reel 4 acting as thesupply side, the reel driving mechanism on the recording andreproduction apparatus side is made to perform a forward rotation, andthe tape member is made to travel from one tape reel 4 toward the othertape reel 5 acting as the take-up side, after the tape member 6 travelsfor a constant length, desirably the light path through which the lightwhich is emitted from the light emitting element 25 and received at thelight receiving elements 31 and 32 passes is blocked by the tapeinformation display area 39. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, thetape information display area 39 is provided at a position spaced by 60mm to 65 mm from the point of intersection P₁ of the line S₂ connectingthe center of the light emitting element hole 26 and the center of thelight transmission holes 27 and 28 and the tape member 6 in a statewhere all of the tape member 6 is taken up around the tape reel 4 actingas the supply side.

Note that where only the tape reel 4 is defined as the supply side, itis enough to provide the tape information display area 39 at only oneend portion of the tape member 6, but where the tape member 6 is made totravel in both of the forward and reverse directions to enable therecording of a data signal, the tape information display area 39 isprovided at each of the two end portions of the tape member 6.

Further, it is also possible that a plurality of tape informationdisplay areas 39 are provided at one or both of the end portions of thetape member 6 (see dotted area 29 in FIG. 3). It is possible to showthat the tape cassette is for recording a data signal when one tapeinformation display area 39 is provided and the fluctuation of thedetection output is detected one time by the light receiving elements 31and 32 and possible to show that the tape cassette is for recording avideo signal when two tape information display areas 39 are provided andthe fluctuation of the detection output is detected two times by thelight receiving elements 31 and 32.

To form the leader tapes 36 for a tape member 6 having a leader tape 36Aprovided with the tape information display area 39 connected to one endportion of the magnetic tape 35 and having a leader tape 36B notprovided with the tape information display portion connected to theother end portion, as shown in FIG. 6, a long tape 136 cut into pieceseach having for example the width of the leader tape 36 is prepared. Thetape information display area 39 are sequentially provided on units ofthe leader tape material having a length L₄ two times longer than thelength L₃ of the leader tapes 36A and 36B connected to the end portionsof the magnetic tape 35. Namely, a tape information display area 39having a length L₁ as mentioned before is provided at one end portion ofa unit length L₄. The position spaced from one end edge of the tapeinformation display portion 39 by a length L₅, comprised of the lengthL₂ of the transparent portion 36a and a length for bonding with theconnection tape 37 for bonding with the magnetic tape 35 is defined as afirst reference cut position G₁. By using this first reference cutposition G₁ as reference and cutting the tape material 136 using as theposition corresponding to the length L₃ of the leader tape 36A as asecond reference cut position G₂, it is possible to successively form aleader tape 36A in which the tape information display area 39 isprovided and a leader tape 36B not having a tape information displayportion.

Here, the tape information display area 39 can be formed by coatingcarbon black on a predetermined length L₁ of the tape material 136.

The tape cassette according to the present invention is formed byproviding a tape information display area at a portion of the leadertape which is not superimposed by the connection tape, so the tapeinformation display area can be correctly detected by an opticaldetection means without being influenced by the connection tape.Further, the identification of the tape information can be correctlycarried out by the optical detection means for a long period withoutbeing affected by aging.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape cassette comprising:a cassette body havingside walls thereof, a pair of tape reels rotatable supported in saidcassette body, and a tape member comprised of a magnetic tape havingleader tape portions connected at the end portions thereof by means of aconnection tape with said leader tape being fixed respectively to saidtape reels wherein said cassette body comprises:a light emitting elementhole positioned between said pair of tape reels into which a lightemitting element is inserted, and light transmission holes positionedwith respect to said light emitting element to allow light from thelight emitting element facing the interior of said cassette body to passtherethrough when said tape member is interposed therebetween, saidlight transmission holes being provided in one of said side wallsorthogonal to the travelling direction of the tape member travellingbetween said pair of tape reels, and wherein said tape member includingat least one discrete tape information display area having a leading endportion and a trailing end portion thereof connected to one of theleader tape portions and none of said discrete tape information displayarea between said leading end portion and said trailing end portionthereof is covered by said connection tape and the entirety of saiddiscrete tape information display area is spaced from said connectiontape by a predetermined distance, said at least one discrete tapeinformation display area being positioned between a point ofintersection of a line connecting said light emitting element hole andone of said light transmission holes and said one leader tape portionand an end portion of said connection tape when the tape member iscompletely wound around one of the pair of tape reels.
 2. A tapecassette according to claim 1, wherein the entirety of said magnetictape is wound around a tape supply reel of said pair of tape reels.
 3. Atape cassette according to claim 1, whereinsaid tape member comprisessaid magnetic tape, said leader tape portions connected to the two endsof said magnetic tape, said leader tape portions having a lighttransmittance higher than the light transmittance of said magnetic tape,and said connection tapes extending over and connecting said magnetictape and said leader tape portions; and said discrete tape informationdisplay area is positioned along said leader tape portion at a portionof the leader tape portion near an end portion of said connection tapebut spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance.
 4. A tape cassetteaccording to claim 3 wherein said discrete tape information display areais formed by coating a material on one part of said leader tape portionwhich lowers the light transmittance thereof so as to obtain a lighttransmittance of said discrete tape information display area which isapproximately the same as the light transmittance of said magnetic tape.5. A tape cassette according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of saiddiscrete tape information display areas are formed at predeterminedintervals on the leader tape portion connected to one end of saidmagnetic tape.
 6. A tape cassette according to claim 3, wherein saiddiscrete tape information display area is provided along one of theleader tape portions connected to the two ends of said magnetic tape.